Husbandry Guidelines for Red Jungle Fowl Gallus Gallus (Aves: Phasianidae)
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Husbandry Guidelines for Red Jungle Fowl Gallus gallus (Aves: Phasianidae) Date By From Version 2017 Zac Mackenzie WSI Richmond v 1 Disclaimer: The information contained within this manual was produced/compiled by the author as part of an assessment for completion of Certificate III in Captive Animals, Course number 1068, RUV 30204 from TAFE NSW- Western Sydney Institute, Richmond College, N.S.W Australia. Since the manual is the result of project work, care should be taken in the interpretation of information therein. The information contained within this manual was compiled from sources believed to be reliable and to represent the best current opinion on the subject, but no responsibility is assumed for any loss or damage that may result from the use of these guidelines. It is offered to the industry for the benefit of animal welfare and care. The author recognises that Husbandry Guidelines are utility documents and as such are ‘works in-progress’ so improvements to these guidelines are invited but the author reserves the right to modify, revoke, suspend, terminate or change any or all information, at anytime, without prior notice. 2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS The Red Junglefowl is considered a low risk species to physical danger. It remains a fairly small species of pheasant and is quite shy and therefore usually does not pose a threat. It can however increase to moderate risk during the breeding season, or during catchment/movement. An adult cock bird sports four to seven centimetre leg spurs; a sharp, bony appendage on the back hind leg. This is used mostly for combat between males for territory and mating privileges but is also used in self defence, or defending his hen and chicks. This could prove quite hazardous from a health and safety point of view as an adult Rooster in breeding is quick, persistent and accurate in flaring his hackles and attacking anyone (or anything) that may enter his territory (enclosure). Spurs can inflict extremely deep wounds usually around the legs but some cocks may get a bit of lift and deliver attacks to the chest or neck area. Control methods could be the complete removal of spurs from a young age, usually with a hot object and pliers. A more common practice is simply trimming the spur tips to a blunt edge. Methods of health and safety to resist an attack by a Red Junglefowl cock could be entering the enclosure with a rake and knee high boots, or locking the cock in the aviary walkway. Disease and hygiene is crucial with any species of Galliforme. A bird that spends a considerable amount of its day scratching in loose soil and moist ground is highly susceptible to disease and parasitical infection. Mites or bird lice are less common in Galliformes due to their excessive dust bathing, preening but is still very possible. Insecticide sprays should be administered every six weeks, and old bedding, browse, nest boxes and other places where mites could colonise should be removed, sprayed, sterilised or replaced. Red Junglefowl are particularly prone to worm infestation, tapeworm, roundworm, hookworm are all common but deadly parasites that could potentially be transmitted to humans. Coccidiosis is another protozoa disease that infects the intestines and can be extremely deadly as well as transmissible to other species. Health and safety risks could be cross contamination by soiled bedding, droppings, feathers and dust on keepers boots, rakes, containers etc. A regular prevention treatment regime should be put in place to avoid coccidiosis infection. This application should be done monthly with other regime checks and medication which is usually applied in the birds water. Parasitical worms can be treated by tablet or liquid worming suspension that is administered in the birds drinking water, worming is advisable every three months. -Z. Mackenzie 2016, pers. comm. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................ 4 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 6 1.2. IUCN Category ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 2. Taxonomy .................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1. Nomenclature ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 2.2. Subspecies ............................................................................................................................................................. 8 2.3. Recent Synonyms ................................................................................................................................................ 11 2.4. Other Common Names ........................................................................................................................................ 12 3. Natural History ........................................................................................................................................ 12 3.1. Morphometrics .................................................................................................................................................... 14 3.1.1. Mass And Basic Body Measurements ................................................................................................................ 14 3.1.2. Sexual Dimorphism ............................................................................................................................................ 15 3.1.3. Distinguishing Features ..................................................................................................................................... 15 3.2. Distribution and Habitat ...................................................................................................................................... 17 3.3. Conservation Status ............................................................................................................................................. 19 3.4. Longevity ............................................................................................................................................................. 19 3.4.1. In the Wild .......................................................................................................................................................... 19 3.4.2. In Captivity .......................................................................................................................................................... 19 3.4.3. Techniques Used to Determine Age in Adults .................................................................................................... 19 4. Housing Requirements ............................................................................................................................. 20 4.1. Exhibit/Enclosure Design .................................................................................................................................... 20 4.2. Holding Area Design ........................................................................................................................................... 20 4.3. Spatial Requirements ........................................................................................................................................... 20 4.4. Position of Enclosures ......................................................................................................................................... 21 4.5. Weather Protection .............................................................................................................................................. 21 4.6. Temperature Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 21 4.7. Substrate .............................................................................................................................................................. 22 4.8. Nestboxes and/or Bedding Material ..................................................................................................................... 22 4.9. Enclosure Furnishings ......................................................................................................................................... 22 5. General Husbandry .................................................................................................................................. 23 5.1. Hygiene and Cleaning .......................................................................................................................................... 23 5.2. Record Keeping ................................................................................................................................................... 23 5.3. Methods of Identification .................................................................................................................................... 24 5.4. Routine Data Collection ...................................................................................................................................... 24 6. Feeding Requirements ............................................................................................................................